Kirsty Lee Akers wows crowds in Canada, Nashville

COUNTRY STARS: Kirsty Lee Akers with Canadian country music artist Amy Nelson during Canada's country music week festivities. Photo: Supplied

AUSTRALIAN country music sensation Kirsty Lee Akers has taken the Canadian country music scene by storm.

In her first visit to the North American nation, Akers wowed crowds in a visit after striking up a friendship with Canadian artist Amy Nelson in Tamworth earlier in the year.

With Nelson’s support, Akers landed a bunch of performances at the Canadian Country Music Association’s Annual Showcase event in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan which were met with rave views from both the fans and the media.

Within the first four days she was invited to perform on four separate television shows and two radio stations.

"I was incredibly thankful that the media welcomed me with such open arms in Canada. It was awesome knowing my music was going out to thousands of people who had never heard it before,” she said.

“All of the presenters who interviewed me were very interested in my music, my story as an artist and where I was heading. It was a great feeling going into a foreign place and feeling that kind of love."

Akers went on to perform at numerous showcases during the week.

“The whole trip has been a massive highlight of my career so far, being able to play my music to a totally new audience is always daunting but the Canadian country fans and industry were so welcoming and supportive,” she said.

“I find the Canadian country industry very similar to the Australian industry, it was awesome to be able to discover Canadian acts that we don't get to hear of in Australia.”

The esteemed artist said there were similarities between the Australian and Canadian culture and believed they had a lot in common.

“I think the great thing about country music is it is a universal language and it doesn't matter where you are from if you are singing songs that say something people are going to feel a connection,” she said.

“Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to do any sight seeing at all in Canada as I was so busy performing.

“The next time I travel to Canada I would love to be able to see more of the country.”

To coincide with her return to Americana Fest in Nashville this month, Akers has released the sixth single off her career-defining album Burn Baby Burn.

The new single Take Me Back is one of the most personal songs ever written by the Golden Guitar winning singer-songwriter.

There’s also good news for fans with the country star taking time out to write new material.

“I will be doing a lot of co-writing with different writers while in Nashville in preparation for a new album that I hope to record at the end of this year and release next year,” she said.